Stakeholders of the Savannah Aero Concepts TT Model Aircraft Club are estimating hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses after their facility at the Mike De Freitas RC Field was broken into and partially destroyed by fire on Thursday night.
While the club operates mainly on weekends, president Cletus Berkeley said he drove past the location on Thursday afternoon and everything appeared intact. However, around 6:45. on Friday, a member arriving to fly discovered the damage and raised the alarm.
Berkeley said although some cameras were either stolen or destroyed, footage from a distance reportedly shows suspicious activity just before 9 p.m., with floodlights being switched on and movement around the containers. The individuals remained on the compound until approximately 6:02 a.m.
“We dunno what going on, who doh like us, maybe they want the place,” Berkeley expressed.
TTTL understands that a report was made to the Caroni Police Station, and the incident is now being treated as arson and malicious damage.
“The roof alone would have cost a lot, they stole every sheet of galvanize, a diesel generator, and even a donated television. They took the water pump, burned the 40-foot container, and the 20-foot container, which housed two tractors. They even removed the camera mounted on the pole,” Berkeley said.
Beyond the financial loss, he said the attack has deeply impacted a space that has served generations of young people interested in aviation, engineering, and innovation.
“For years, this space has been more than just an airfield. It has been a place where young people are introduced to aviation, where scout groups and youth organisations experience the fundamentals of flight, discipline, and engineering. While to some this may appear to be just a hobby or sport, it is much more than that. It serves as a pathway for the next generation of aviators, engineers, and innovators in Trinidad and Tobago. To see it violated in this way is deeply upsetting,” he said.
Despite the setback, the club says it remains committed to rebuilding and is appealing to the public for information and support. “This hobby and sport matter. The work we do matters. The youth we serve matter. The future of aviation in our country matters. We will rebuild,” Berkeley added.
Anyone with information or wiling to donate the club can reach out on their social media pages.
